Introduction
Use this guide to replace the plastic button covers and the rubber button contacts on any DualShock 3 controller.
Tools
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Press on the rear cover between the analog sticks and slightly lift the lower edge of it away from the rest of the controller.
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Push the rear cover slightly toward the top edge of the controller to clear the front edge of the #2 triggers.
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Pull the rear cover away from the rest of the controller, being careful not to pop off the #2 triggers.
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Slide the trigger button retainers slightly away from the front cover.
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Remove the #1 button on both sides.
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Pull the vibration motor retainers away from the front cover to dislodge the motherboard assembly.
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Lift the rubber button contacts off the front controller cover to access the plastic button covers.
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Lift any damaged plastic button covers out of the controller cover.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
6 comments
My Dualshock 3 didn't have the three armed plastic piece on the D-pad. Mine's a red one, relatively recent. My controller also had the problem where it would randomly send button press events when using the L-stick. I traced the problem to the ribbon connector between the board and the contacts, which was very dirty. I cleaned the contacts and put the controller back together with an additional rubber shim between the back cover and the battery, which got rid of the creakiness of the somewhat loose-fitting case. Works great now.
Kevin -
How do you clean the contacts? Is there a special way?
Thanks. ^^ Tightened screws after opening it and this kind of problem got solved.
Janne K -
Are these instructions the same for the dual-shock 2?
I have 2 controllers I'd like to fix, and both have at least one stripped screw in them. Any tips for removing them?
Joe -